The new drone, ‘Fotros’, is the biggest unmanned strategic plane in the country that enjoys special capabilities. The drone which has been built by the Defense Ministry’s Air Industries can fly for more than 2,000km non-stop.

Fotros was unveiled in a ceremony attended by Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehghan in Tehran minutes ago.

“This drone is able to carry out reconnaissance missions and carry air-to-surface rockets for combat operations,” the official IRNA news agency quoted Dehghan as saying.

Iran has recently made giant advancements in aerospace industries, especially in designing and manufacturing pilotless drones. In September 2012, Iran announced that it has started using UAVs for its air defense units as part of its broader plans for strengthening the country’s air defense capability.

Speaking to reporters on the occasion of the National Day of Air Defense in Tehran on September 3, 2012, Commander of Khatam ol-Anbia Air Defense Base Brigadier General Farzad Esmayeeli said Iran has equipped its air defense units with Haazem drones. Haazem is a drone designed and manufactured by Iranian air defense experts in three short, mid and long range models and for air defense missions.

The drone can be used as a target for air defense systems and also for reconnaissance missions. The UAV can also be equipped with missiles and used for aerial bombardments as well.

Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hussein Dehqan announced on Monday that the new drone enjoys unique strategic capabilities, including 30-hour-long flight durability, and has been developed for combat and surveillance missions.

Newscast Media WASHINGTON, D.C.—Due to the extended conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo caused by M23 rebels, the US is now ready to send drones to the Great Lakes region of Africa to help UN peace-keeping forces maintain stability. This of course is making leaders of the countries within the region nervous because the unmanned aerial vehicles will also be equipped with surveillance capabilities.

The US wants to take a pragmatic approach by sending in drones which may not be limited to just Congo, but also used in other neighboring countries.

“It is not wise to use a device on which we don’t have enough information,” Olivier Nduhungirehe, Rwanda’s deputy U.N. ambassador, told Reuters. “Africa shall not become a laboratory for intelligence devices from overseas.”

However, Brieuc Pont, who represents the French government disagrees, and in a tweet he was supportive of sending drones to DR Congo as shown below:

Brieuc Pont, supports drone use

This is news DR Congo’s Joseph Kabila will welcome, because the drones will deter invaders from encroaching on his mineral-rich nation. Yet Rwanda’s opposition to the drone idea is a sign that the Rwandan government feels it might be a target since it has been accused of supporting and arming the M23 rebels according to an article written by The Australian.